The agricultural sector is increasingly exploring electric farm equipment to reduce environmental impacts while offering practical benefits to landowners and operators. According to the USDA Economic Research Service, agriculture employs about 10.4% of the U.S. population, and farming activities account for an estimated 10.6% of GHG emissions.
Electrification of farm equipment presents a variety of potential advantages. Compared to diesel engines, electric motors produce less noise, require less maintenance, and reduce the frequency of parts replacement. Tractors, in particular, benefit from the immediate torque that electric motors provide, which can enhance performance in the field.
However, large-scale adoption is not without challenges. Combines and tractors often operate for 18 to 24 hours at a time during harvest season, sometimes moving continuously across multiple farms. This makes the downtime required for recharging a significant limitation. While diesel refueling takes only minutes, charging the large batteries needed to power heavy equipment can take hours. The additional weight of batteries also raises concerns about soil compaction, which can reduce crop productivity.
That said, smaller equipment is showing promising progress. Electric ATVs are increasingly used for tasks such as monitoring livestock, transporting supplies, and providing quick access to areas that larger machinery cannot reach. Their compact size and smaller battery requirements make them more suitable for current electrification technology.
To explore examples of electric farm equipment already in production and under development, visit Farm Journal’s article titled “Future of Electric Farm Equipment”.